Momonjii

Overview

Momonjii is the elder labelled 百々爺 in Sekien’s Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki. The small reading beside the heading corresponds to momonjii; it is not the many-eyed name initially suspected from a contact-sheet image. The creature sits among fallen leaves with a staff, wearing a patterned robe. Its head is shaggy, its face creased, and its mouth exposes teeth. An angular branchlike form rises above its head.

Sekien’s caption begins by calling the being unexplained or uncertain, then plays with names and describes an encounter with an old man in the wild. The image is accordingly a useful witness to a named elderly apparition, while the caption itself preserves uncertainty about its identity. It should not be merged with Dodomeki, nor supplied with eyes covering its body. A particular connection with animal flesh, eating taboos, or meat shops needs independent historical evidence beyond this inspected illustration.

Origins & earliest records

Japan; Toriyama Sekien’s illustrated collection

Records & interpretation

Directly inspected primary heading 百々爺 and adjacent phonetic reading; caption explicitly preserves uncertainty.

Selected bibliography

Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.

1. 01

   Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki

   Toriyama Sekien · 1779

   Volume 明, labelled 百々爺; IIIF canvas18, zero-based scan index.

Family & connections

A source-supported family tree or inspiration record has not yet been compiled for this profile. Related reading below indicates a connection in subject matter, not a proven lineage or creative influence.

Primary records and illustrations

References

Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.

1. Primary illustrated sourceLabelled primary Momonjii plateResearch access: 2026-10-05

Image credits

Momonjii, named plate by Toriyama Sekien

Momonjii is the elder labelled 百々爺 in Sekien’s Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki. The small reading beside the heading corresponds to momonjii; it is not the many-eyed name initially suspected from a contact-sheet image. The creature sits among fallen leaves with a staff, wearing a patterned robe. Its head is shaggy, its face creased, and its mouth exposes teeth. An angular branchlike form rises above its head. Caption begins 百々爺未詳; no many-eyed anatomy.